SUPPLEMENT TO THE ' EYANPAHA. '
NOVEMBER,
1896,
FT. TOTTEN,
SISTERS' SCHOOL, NOV. 1896.
We have presently 115 children
in the school, a large number of
whom are Sioux of this reservation,
the others are Chippewas from dif-
ferent places. At the Fort School
there are about 200 pupils, all Cath-
olics with few exceptions. Quite a
number of the larger girls in that
school have come from White Eartl
and are former pupils of the Bene-
dictine Sisters at St. John, Minn.,
others are from Morris, Minn. The
Sisters in charge of those schools
having given them up for want of
sufficient support by the Govern-
ment. We must say, to the credit
of those young girls, left, as it were
to themselves they are very earnest
in their efforts to practice their reli-
gion and remain faithful to their ho-
ly Faith. When no other opportuni-
ty offers itself they avail themselves
of the hour of High Mass on Sun
days, to approach the Sacraments of
Penance and the Holy Eucharist and
thus remain fasting till noon. May
God strengthen them to continue. .
We have at the Sisters' School
here a lot of good girls from the age
of four up to 17 and of little boys
from three years up to 12. Several
of our children are learning music
which is a great encouragement for
them, and will afterwards be of
great service to the Church, by be-
ing able to accompany the Mass and
hymns which some of the old pupils
are now doing. Our children in
general show good will, aptitude in
learning the different branches of
study and also house-work so neces-
sary for them. They vie with each
other to see who will have the great-
est number of merits at the end of
each month, in order to have their
names put on the "Roll of Honor,"
and be able to buy some little re-
compence.
The weather is very cold here, it
is already real winter, which makes
the children look forward with an-
xious but joyful hearts to the coming
of good old "Santa Olaus." As
Emeran says "This weather is hasten-
ing the season of Christmas and New
Year." However the boys have not
yet all tiiev desire as they are de-
prived of their favorite amusement,
skating on account of the deep snow
there is no means of getting around.
1 have now given you some items
about our school. Next time, it will
be your turn to tell us something ft-
bout your schools and I know you
have many interesting news to give
us, but, it is very seldom we receive
any letters from the school children.
Why is this? We are always glad to
hear from you and your letters never
visit the waste basket before they
are in full print.
We publish one to-day from St.
Francis Mission, Rose Bud Agency,
for which we are very grateful.
St, Francis' Mission,
Rosebud Agency, S. Dak.
Oct. 23, 1896.
Doar Rev. Father Jerome: —
Although we do not write often to the
"Byanpaha," we are always very much
interested in it at St. Francis Mission,
Ever siDce we returned from our vaca-
tion, bur minds and hands have been
kept busy. The new building, contain-
ing a large dormitory, recreation hall,
kitchen and class-room, was about fin-
ished when we returned to school, so
there was a great deal of moving to be
done. Then, we had to practice for a
little entertainment to be given in honor
of Rev. Mother Cecilia, who came here
on a visit from Buffalo, and Rev. Father
Superior's name's day, which comes
on the 16th of October, which was cele-
brated also. Now, Father, don't you
think we have been diligent? Well, af-
ter having a pleasant vacation of two
months we were very glad to come back
to school. We enjoyed ourselves very
uch during vacation though in differ-
ent ways. Some of the girls liked to go
riding on horseback, others visiting
their companions and others again loved
to spend their "time in reading. One girl
said that, on the 4th of July, she read
from 7 o'clock in the morning till 5
o'clock in the evening. Sister said that
waB a little too much. Ellen Prue telle
us how she celebrated the 4th of July
at her cousin's house. She bays: "In the
evening we shot off some firecrackers,
then Elmer got the dish-pan, went on
the top of the house and began to beat
it with all his might, while Eva played
the accordian and I pounded tlte frying
pan. Ida sat. there laughing heartily,
as we could see but could not hear her,
because we were making snch a noise."
Now, we will tell you about tie good
time we had this week. Very Rev. Oas-
sidy from O'neiJ, was h< re two days ago
and also visited our school. He asked
ever so many questions, but we could
not. answer them all. ''Have yon receiv
ed the sacrament of Holy Orders?" one
girl was asked. "Can you baptize a
person with milk?" questioned Father
Cassidy another girl, etc. Why, we were
kept laughing for about 15 minutes
without stopping. In the evening, 38
the bright silvery moon shone above
our heads, wo gathered aroud Father
Cassidy, who ashed us whether we
knew what the weight of the moon is
Oh! dear! wo never heard of such a
thing before, so we could make no an-
swer. Father Cassidy explained it to
us by relating a story, which, if you do
not object, we will also recount to you.
It is as follows: A monk who wanted
to build a monastery, but had no money,
went to a lord and told him of his in-
tention. "I wi'l give Ja&s half of ray
estate," said the lord, "if you answer
the following three questions: 'What
am I worth?' 'What is the weight of
the moon?' What am I thinking of?"
Those were hard nuts to crack, so the
lord allowed several days for reflection.
On his way home the monk met an
Irishman, who asked him why he looked
so sad. After the monk told his story,
the Irishman said: "Those are easy
questions, and if you will lend me your
habit I will go to the lord and answer
them for you." When the time came,
the Irishman went to the lord, who said
to him: Well, Father, can you answer
my questions?" "I think I can," replied
the Irishman. "Your first question was:
'What am I worth?" The answer is;
you are worth 29 pieces of silver."
'Why?'' put in the lord. "Because."
said the Irishman, "our Lord was sold
for 30 pieces of silver, and you are one
piece less." That was right. In your
second question," continued the Irish-
man, "you want to know what the
weight of the moon is. The weight of
the moon is 1 cwt., because there are 4
quarters in the moon, and 4 quarters in
a cwt." That was correct too. Lastly,
said the Irishman.: "you want me to tell
you what you are thinking uf. You are
thinking you have that monk before
you, but you have not. It is an Irish-
man standing here." That was correct
also, and the lord gave, half of his estate
to build a monastery.
Next month the boys will Write
"Byanpaha." Perhaps they can tell you
about our new Bishop's visit to St.
Francis Mission, that is, if he comes be-
fore that time. He wrote lately, that,
if possible, he would come in November.
We are all anxious to see him.
Our good Bishop Marty is now in eter-
nity, and, as we hope, enjoying everlast-
ing happiness. Last May Sr. M. Rena-
t-A died here. She was sent to Dakota
for her health, but after being here on-
ly about two months, we had to lay her
in our little graveyard. It was God's
holy will that she 6hould not live any-
longer, so she went to Him. She was
the first Sister that died here. Ibe
coming month reminds us again to re-
member in our prayers, those that have
gone before us.
Good bye. Please, Father, remember
in your prayers, the
Girls of St. Fbancus Mission,
Bishop Marty's Heroism-
On the Sunday preceding Bishop
Marty's departure from this world
a class of children had been sum-
moned for confirmation. The eere-
monv had been arranged to take place
in a church nine miles distant from
St. Cloud and accessible odIv by the
country roads. The Bishop was urged
and begged not to subject himself
to the inclemency of the weather and
the rigorous ride over the road. But
persisting that the faithful must not
be disappointed, he firmly refused
to postpone the eeremonv.
He was a dying man at the time:
yet he gathered all his physical re-
sources for one more work for God's
glory, and he administered the Sa-
crament. During the ceremony the
strength of his arms deserted him
and it became necessary- for an
attendant priest to support if, whilst,
the saintly minister signed the fore-
heads of the children with the holy
chrism and with the sign of the cross.
He had grown so enfeebled that he
had to be carried from the church to
the rectory. That was his last episco-
pal function, and a few davs after he
died the death of a martvr.
NOVEMBER,
Saw a vision of the virgin
MARY.
A. Methodist Farmer Describes
the Vision That Surprised Him
When He Was Fishing-.
Moses Depue. oi;e of the wealthiest and
most staid tillers of the soil of Paha-
quarry Township, B ividere. N. J., had
an experience on Thuisdny of last week
that caused his hail- to turn white, Mr.
Depue is a deacon in the Methodist
Church, superintendent of local Sun-
day -school, and comes from a good, old
Quale ->• family, his father having been
a Colonel in the Revolutionary War.
He has been treasurer of the towns! ip
and member of the County Board of
Freeholders,
H- is a veteran fisherman, and went
out early in tlie day on the Delaware
River, to follow his accustomed habits.
The morning was hazy and exceedingly
hot, and as the old gentleman war. in tie
Hut of hauling in a fine bass be heard a
l> miliar liois" »[> the River. His eyes
were at mice, riv ted on a scene t: at he
will never forget. The following is his
vprisoa of the scene;
-A huge wl it ■ cloud arose apparently
out of t'.e wa e.\ f rom which there emerg-
ed the strains of sweet music. It floated
upward icvei al hundtadUf
ed to be ablaze with light. I watched
it with intense interest, and seemed to
be spellbound."
•A very strange feeling come over me,
and (he very air seemed charged with
heavenly fragrance. Its strange shape
form of cross, riveted me to my seat.
As the cloud reached the height of
about fifty feet it parted in the middle,
and there, - in the centre, was the form
of a be u.ifu! woman.
•■Her fac, was radiaut with a strange
1 gh:. her beautiful golden hair fell in
heavy rolls over her shoulders, and a
S in lug crown of silver adorned her
b o.v. Tne figu.e, which was of natural
s«i/, •. \yas robed in a garment of white
«■ ieh reached to her feet. As the ap-
|.i i Aoi. arose and floated over the De-
li, wa.e I heard svvcel songs and music
from ove, head.
>4he figure bore a striking resem
Uanee to po. traits of the Virgin Mary,
fj.nl was so dazz.ing in its brightness
that 1 i.lac d ny bunds before my eyes.'"
Wic 11 he recove.ect from his astonish-
ment the Vit-i in had vanished, but the
impression was so deep on his mind that
C Will n ver b.« obliterated. H- burned
horn., and his excited condition alarmed
|ii« friends He told the story to his
fa uilv, a d during the day 1 und eds of
friend neighbors called at his
home to learn the particulars of the
remarkable vision.
The old gentleman is not superstitious.
Cor are his friends, but they cannot
help regarding the apparition as a meal
ing that they Cannot as yet fathom, '.'.he
whole neighborhood is excited over the
K s s p St r a i c, n i ■ A h i : \ D .
10 attention to slanderers
and gossip mooters. Keep Straight
mi in your course, and let the back-
biting die the death of neglect.'
What is the use of 3\ing awake ut
nights, brooding over the remark of
some false friend, that runs through
rain like lightning.
What is the use of getting into a
worry and fret ever gossip that has
been set afloat to vour disad vantage
bi some meddlesome busy body who
has more time than character? The
things cannot possibly injure you
unless you take notice of them, aud-
io combatting them give standing
and character. If what is said about is
true, set vourself right; if it is false,
let it go for what it will fetch. If a
bee, sting vou would you go to the
hive to destroy it? Would not a
Uuuisaeu come -eon v„a? A :s w:s
dom to say little respecting the in-
juries you have received. We are
generally lookers in the end, if we
stop to refute all the back-biting and
gossiping we mav hear by fcl.e way;
The-, are annoying, it is true, but
not dangerous, so long as we do r.ot
stop to expostulate and scold. Our
characters are formed and sustained
bv on. selves, by our own actions and
purposes, and not by others. Let us
always bear in mind that 'calumnia-
tors may usually be trusted to time
and tie slow but steady justice of
puAl.o opinum."'
THE ECCLKSIASTiCAL YEAR
i.\ particular.
I. ClIIUSTMASTIKK.
l What is the meaning of
Christniastide?
Purine Christmastid-i the myster-
ies of the Incarnation and the birth
and eh klhood of Jesus are presented
for our contemplation, as prepara-
tory' to our divine redemption.
2. What portion of the ecclesi-
! astical year does Christmastide
' comprise?
It comprises: i Advent, as the
anticipation of the feast; 2. Christ-
mas Day, or the great feast itself;
.'$. The days between Christmas Dav
and Candlemas Dav, as it were in
echo or sequence of tire grea t cele-
bration.
i. The Anticipation.
8. What is the meaning of Ad-
vent?
The season of Advent, embracing
the four weeks preceding Christmas
Day, represents the four thousand
years during which mankind was
compelled to await the advent, or
coining, of the Redeemer,
4. What is the object of Advent?
It should enkindle within us a de-
sire for the grace of the Redeemer-
and ssrve as a time of humble and
penitential, preparation for the feast
of his birth.
5. How does the Advent season
serve to awai-en our desire for the
Redeemer?
By the celebration of the Rorate
Mass, at the break of day, signifying
the gloom of the long period during
which mankind had to wait for the
using Sun of justice.
L his is called the Rorato Mass be-
cause its Introit opens with the words:
"Rorate cceli desuper, et nubes pluant
justum" — Drop down dew, ye heavens,
from above, and let the clouds rain the
Just; let the earth be opened, and bud
forth a Saviour." (Isaias xiv. 8.)
6. What means are used by
the Church to incite us to pen-
ance and humility?
The wearing of violet vestments;
the omission of all hymns of joy, for
example the Gloria in Exeelsis;
and especially the study of the Sun-
day Epistles and Gospels, which
teach and rge penance and reform-
ation in our lives,
7 What feast comes in Advent?
The feast of the Immaculate Con-
ception of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
on which the Church commemorates
the truth that Mary, by special divine
deoree, and bv. signal favor obtained
through the merits of Jesus Christ,
from the moment of her conception
was preserved from the stain of ori-
ginal sin. . and was full of grace, in
order that she might be worthy to
become the mother of the Son of
God.
Tne Immaculate Conception is a festi-
( val of the. first class, with an octave, aod
is a day of obligation. It is the patronal
feast of the United States,
1896
8. What fast-days come in Ad-
vent?
L The three Eruber-davs of win-
ter, in the week following the third
Sunday of Advent; and
2. Christmas Eve, as the immedi-
ate preparitory fast for the feast.
2. Christmas Day.
9- When is Christmas Day cele-
brated?
Christmas Day, the commemoraton
of the birth of Our Saviour, falls
always on the 25th day of December.
10 Why is it called the Blessed
Night?
Because we celebrate on the night
that was blessed and sanctified bv
the birth of Jesus.
11. Why is it called Christmas?
Because on that day the Church
celebrates the Masses specially com-
memorating the birth of Christ.
12. How does the Church cele-
brate this grand and gracious fes-
tival?
By the celebration on that day of
three Masses: the .first at midnight, .
indicating the hour of Christ's birth:
the Angels' Mass, at the break of
day; and the Shepherds' Mass, in
the full light of the sun.
13- Of what are we reminded by
these three Masses?
1. Of the bodily birth of Jesus -
from the Virgin Mary;
2. Of His spiritual birth in the
hearts of men; and
3. Of His eternal procession from
the bosom of the eternal Father.
It is usual at Christmas time to repre-
sent the birth of the infant Saviour by
means of the so-called "crib of Bethle-
hem." In 1226 St. Francis Assisi set-
up the first of these cribs, for the pur-
pose of increasing in the hearts of the
spectators renewed love for the new-
born Saviour.
: The Christmas tree represents Jesus,
as a fair and fruitful tree that was -to,
come forth a rod «ut of the root of Jesse;
that is, as the Son of David (Isaias xi. 1;)
and Who through His truth, and grace
of redemption became the light and sal-
vation of the world. Of this light to the
world, and of these fruits of salvation,
we are reminded by the tapers and
fruits on the Christmas tree, as well at,
by the presents that are exchanged.
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